Folding house and method for converting a folding house

ABSTRACT

A folding house having a housing block and a base block. In one example, the folding house provides that the housing block has a housing block floor, a housing block front wall and two housing block side walls rigidly connected to the housing block front wall and the housing block floor, and the base block has a base block back wall, a base block floor and two base block side walls rigidly connected to the base block back wall and the base block floor, wherein the housing block and the base block can be brought into a housing position in which the housing block supplements the base block, and into a transport position in which the base block is arranged in the housing block.

The invention relates to a folding house having a housing block and a base block.

The invention further relates to the conversion of a folding house having an intrinsically rigid housing block and an intrinsically rigid base block, from a housing position into a transport position, wherein the housing block and the base block are arranged in the housing position supplementing one another.

From prior art there have been known various houses, which are configured in part also tiltable or foldable, respectively. For example, the document WO 2007/033498 A1 discloses a building, wherein a floor, a roof as well as side walls are connected in a foldable way, in order to enable the transport of the building in a folded status in a container, if required. This building has the disadvantage that a conversion of the building from a housing position, in which it is possible to live in the house, into a transport position, in which the building may be transported within a small space, is very complex. Thus, it is necessary to remove all inventory from the building in order to bring the building into the transport position. Furthermore, also the inventory has to be packed for the transport and transported separately.

It is, hence, the task of the invention to indicate a folding house of the initially mentioned type, which may be brought from a housing position into a transport position with only low effort, wherein it is possible to transport the folding house in the transport position within a small space.

Further, there is to be indicated a method of the initially mentioned type, which may be realized especially easily.

The first task is solved according to the invention by the fact that in a folding house of the initially mentioned type the housing block has a housing block floor, a housing block front wall as well as two housing wall side walls rigidly connected to the housing block front wall and the housing block floor and the base block has a base block back wall, a base block floor and two base block side walls rigidly connected to the base block back wall and the base block floor, wherein the housing block and the base block may be brought into a housing position, in which the housing block supplements the base block, and into a transport position, in which the base block is arranged in the housing block.

In this way, there is possible an especially easy conversion, because articles need not be removed from the inside of the base block and transported separately. Further, also an inventory of the housing block may be transported in the base block. Furthermore, only one element, the base block or the housing block, has to be moved in order to bring the folding house into the transport position. In contrast thereto, in prior art folding houses it is always necessary to move multiple elements such as the walls, the floor and the ceiling in order to achieve a transport position. The folding house according to the invention may be converted from the housing position into the transport position in an essentially simpler way. For a conversion, the base block and the housing block may be moved independently from each other. The base block and the housing block, however, may be connected to each other by means of any connecting means known from prior art such as a hinge or a linear bearing, in order to make possible a simple conversion from the housing position into the transport position. There may further be provided a coupling four-way-linkage in order to move the base block relative to the housing block such that the folding house may be loaded by means of a lifting device onto a flatbed vehicle and transported to another position to be again erected there.

The folding house is usually erected on a paved, dry and plane ground on suitable paddings such as timbers or plastic blocks. For this reason, there are advantageously arranged floor support elements on a bottom surface of the base block. These serve as static linkage points. The floor support elements may also be used as form-fit linkage or accommodation for conventional boat bodies or adapted swimming containers. The floor support elements may further be used as linkage for snow or swamp runners in order to enable the arrangement of the folding house on the most varied grounds.

It may be preferred that in the transport position the base block side walls are spaced apart from the housing block side walls by means of air gaps. In this way, a particularly simple movement of the base block into the housing block is possible without any damage to the base block or the housing block, because the housing block side walls pivot along the base block side walls spaced apart by the air gap when the folding house is converted. In a housing block side wall there is in general arranged an entrance area having an entrance door, along which the base block side wall may be pivoted also separated by an air gap in the case of a conversion.

Advantageously, the housing block is rotatably connected to the base block, wherein the housing block may be put over the base block by a rotation about 90° relative to the base block. A conversion from the housing position into the transport position may then be realized especially simply by rotating the housing block onto the base block, for example using a crane or the like. This enables a very fast and simple conversion of the folding house. For the conversion, there may arranged or integrated, respectively, in each part of the folding house lifting lugs for fastening means like belts or chains having shackles that are covered or visible.

The housing block is usefully connected to the base block by means of a hinge. This enables an especially well controlled rotation of the housing block relative to the base block. The hinge generally connects the floor of the housing block to the floor of the base block so that in the transport position the housing block front wall will rest on the base block side walls and the base block back wall. Thereby, there is achieved an especially compact and stable transport position.

The hinge usually has a hinge part, a first external hinge tube, a second external hinge tube as well as an internal hinge tube. This results in a very load-bearing hinge, which is suitable for mechanical loads, which will result from the movement of the housing block. The hinge may also be used for the pivoting connection of parts of the folding roof

There may also be provided that the housing block is connected to the base block in a shiftable way, wherein the base block may be shifted into the housing block. In this embodiment, for a conversion of the folding house from the housing position into the transport position, it is no longer necessary to lift the housing block in order to rotate it onto the base block. Conversion, hence, may be realized, for example, by means of a linear shifting, wherein the base block is shifted into the housing block. This is in general possible using lesser force.

Advantageously, the housing block is formed with a rigid housing block roof and the base block is formed with a base block roof, wherein a step is provided between the housing block and the base block, so that in the transport position the base block floor is positioned over the housing block floor and the housing block roof is positioned over the base block roof. This enables for a particularly simple conversion and, simultaneously, for a stable transport position. In this embodiment, for a conversion, an inventory is usually removed from the housing block, and subsequently the base block is shifted into the housing block. As there is provided a step between the housing block and the base block, direct shifting of the base block into the housing block is possible without any additional conversion measures. Hereby, there may be provided a linear guiding and/or a gear rack for shifting, which connect the base block with the housing block.

It is advantageous that the base block and the housing block are made from timber, in particular glued laminated timber, cross-glued laminated timber, in a sandwich construction or a panel construction. This construction mode is simple and cheap, on the one side. On the other side, thereby, there is achieved a stable construction, which is necessary for a relative movement between base block and housing block.

There may further be achieved a stable and simple construction mode if the base block and the housing block are made of steel, aluminium, plastic material, brick bonding material or steel construction with steel sheet elements, moulding tubes and steel sheet profiles, preferably in a lightweight construction mode. A lightweight construction mode, furthermore, offers advantages in regard to a transport of the folding house as well as a conversion thereof.

The base block and the housing block are usually formed in a framework construction. There may also use so-called cross-laminated timber panels. The folding house may be used in a stationary, semi-mobile or mobile way in order to create housing space. In particular due to the arrangement of base block and housing block supplementing each other in the housing position, there is generated a living and spatial experience for the user, which usually may only be generated in larger housing spaces.

Usefully, a pivoting wall is pivotingly connected to a housing block side wall on an internal surface in order to separate an internal room in the housing position. In this way, a room in the housing block may be separated in a simple way, if the folding house is in the housing position. As in the transport position the base block is arranged within the housing block, it is necessary in a conversion to remove inventory and walls situated in the housing block therefrom. This may be realized particularly simply by way of a pivoting wall. As the pivoting wall is connected to the housing block preferably in such a way that it is flush with a housing block side wall, the pivoting wall need not be transported separately but may rather remain in the housing block during transport. The pivoting wall is usually used for separating a toilet area from the living area.

As an alternative or supplement to an embodiment, in which the base block is formed with a fixed base block roof and the housing block is formed with a fixed housing block roof, there may also be provided that a folding roof is connected to the base block, by means of which the housing block may be covered by a pivoting movement about 180°. In this way, there is achieved a roof of the folding house which is easy to be constructed. A folding roof has shown a good performance in particular with the embodiment of the folding house, in which the housing block is put over the base block by a rotational movement, as thereby a housing block roof usually has to be removed. The housing block in general does not have a fixed housing block roof. Due to a configuration of the base block having a folding roof, before the pivoting of the housing block over the base block, only the folding roof has to be folded from the housing block to the base block, before the housing block can be pivoted over the base block. In this way, there is enabled a simple conversion.

It is favourable if the base block is housed in the housing block in the transport position. In this way, there is achieved an especially compact transport position. In this regard, housed-in means that the housing block surrounds the base block at four side surfaces at least. In particular, if the base block is shiftably connected to the housing block, the advantageously box-shaped housing block may surround the usually also essentially box-shaped base block in the transport position also at five side surfaces.

The base block and the housing block are advantageously formed in an essentially symmetrical way. This has proven to be useful in order to, on the one side, achieve a maximum housing area in the housing position and, on the other side, enable an arrangement of the base block in the housing block in the transport position. The base block is usually configured smaller by at least one wall thickness of the side walls than the housing block so that the base block may be moved into the housing block.

Preferably, projecting housing areas are arranged externally at the housing block. In this way, there may be achieved a larger housing area. These projecting areas may also be used in order to transport inventory from the housing block in the transport position.

Terrace elements are usefully arranged externally at the housing block, which are pivotingly connected to the housing block. In this way, independent of the configuration of the ground on the erection site of the folding house, there may be quickly formed a terrace following erection. The terrace elements are usually formed by plates so that a plane area may be quickly formed as a terrace.

The terrace elements may usually be attached at an external surface of the housing block in a folded position at the housing block. This enables a particularly simple erection of the folding house by the terrace elements being released from the housing block and being folded down, after the arrangement of the housing block at the erection site, until these will rest on the ground of the erection site. Unless the ground is not sufficiently plane, this may also be paved before the erection of the folding house, for example by suitable paddings such as timber or plastic blocks. It has proven to be favourable in regard to the construction if the terrace elements are connected to a lower end of the housing block, for example to the housing block floor, in a rotatable or foldable way.

It has proved its worth that the base block and the housing block, for a static load, are embodied at least with one further folding house that is arranged on the base block and the housing block in order to form a multi-storey building composed of multiple folding houses. In this way, a building of multiple folding houses may also be formed by two base blocks being arranged supplementing one another as an upper floor on a ground floor, which is formed by two housing block supplementing one another. As the housing block in general is slightly larger than the base block, there is achieved a building without any edges or steps, respectively, between a transition from housing block to base block.

In order to generate energy required in the folding house at least in part by means of the folding house, it has been proven useful if pivoting and/or rotatable photovoltaic elements are arranged on an external surface. By the pivoting and/or rotatable arrangement thereof, the photovoltaic elements may be folded or pivoted, respectively, simply to the folding house for transport so that these may be transported in a space-efficient way.

There may be preferably provided that a continuous and sealing insulation foil is arranged underneath a roof foil for insulation. Due to the roof foil there is provided a sealing of the folding house, for example, against rainwater. Due to the insulation foil there may also be achieved good thermal insulation. Such a configuration using foils furthermore is flexible enough in order to enable the conversion of the folding house multiple times without any damage to the roof. The roof may be formed also only by the roof foil.

A directed discharge of roof wastewaters is achieved in a simple way if the roof foil is formed end-sided as a roof water tubing for receiving roof wastewaters. The roof foil usually projects beyond the edges of a top surface of the folding housing, forming a round or rectangular roof water tubing, into which the roof wastewaters will be discharged.

In the folding house there is preferably provided a rotator cell having a rotating tube, through which water, wastewater and electric energy may be transported into and/or out of the folding house. As there is provided, in this way, a central element, by means of which media such as water, waste water, electric energy and the like may be supplied to the folding house, the effort for providing a sealing is minimized, by means of which there is achieved a simple construction.

A rotator cell may have a sleeping area, a wellness area having a whirlpool, a dining area having seating and the like, which are arranged as segments at a base plate that is usually mounted at the rotating tube or rotatably with the rotating tube. This base plate may serve in the dining area as a floor and in the wellness area as a support construction for the installation of a bathtub or a whirlpool. The mounting of the rotator cell or of the rotatable base plate, respectively, is usually realized, on the one side, in the floor, preferably in the base block floor, as an axial radial bearing and, on the other side, in the base block roof as a radial bearing. In this way, a stable mounting of the rotatable rotator cell will be guaranteed. By rotation of the rotatable base plate, a part of the folding house, for example the internal space of the housing block, may be very quickly and in an uncomplicated way re-configured from a sleeping area into a dining area or a wellness area. The rotator cell in general has three segments such as a wellness area, a dining area and a sleeping area. It will be appreciated that there may also be provided more than three segments or only one segment continuous by 360°. A rotator cell having two to five separate segments has proven to be advantageous.

It is favourable if a folding bed is connected to the rotator cell, which projects into the housing block in an unfolded status. In this way, the space available will be utilized especially efficiently. The folding bed may usually be folded up for a conversion in the transport position such that it will not project into the housing area any more. The housing block may then be pivoted about the hinge into or above the base block. By rotation of the base plate, also the internal space of the base block may be used as a sleeping area in a simple way. At a bottom side of the folding bed there may be arranged a folding sofa, which may be used as a relaxation bed, if the folding bed is folded up, for example during the day.

The further task is solved according to the invention in that in a method of the initially mentioned type the base block and/or the housing block may be moved such that the base block is arranged in the housing block in the transport position. Therefore, there may be provided that the base block is moved into the housing block. As an alternative, also the housing block may be moved or put, respectively, over the base block. In this way, compared to prior art methods, there is enabled an essentially simpler conversion, as only one element has to be moved relative to another element, while in prior art folding houses respectively a multitude of elements such as walls, floors and ceilings has to be pivoted, folded and stowed. Further, in such a method, space may be used in the base block, while prior art folding houses do not provide for the utilization of space in the transport position.

The housing block is advantageously lifted and rotated relative to the base block by 90°. This enables a simple conversion from the housing position into the transport position by a rotational movement, wherein the housing block is in general lifted by means of a crane or the like and rotated onto the base block.

The housing block is preferably placed on a rubber padding of the base block. In this way, also in the case of a conversion of multiple times, wear of a contact position between base block and housing block will be prevented.

As an alternative to a conversion by means of a rotational movement, the base block may also be shifted into the housing block in a conversion. For this purpose, there may be provided a linear bearing and/or gear racks, which connect the base block and the housing block.

For a conversion there may be further provided that the housing block is put over the base block. In this way, the base block is usually housed in the housing block in the transport position so that this results in an especially compact transport position.

It has proved its worth that the housing block is lifted and rotated before the housing block is put over the base block. This is advantageously realized by means of a crane. In this way, there is achieved a configuration that is especially simple in the construction thereof, because there need not be provided hinges, joints or the like.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become clear by way of the embodiment examples illustrated in the following. In the drawings, to which there is made reference to:

FIGS. 1 to 13 show various method steps in the conversion of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 14 to 17 show a folding house according to the invention in various views;

FIGS. 18 to 21 show a further embodiment example of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 22 to 27 show a rotator cell for a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 28 to 34 show a hinge for a folding house according to the invention:

FIGS. 35 to 37 show a detail of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 38 to 42 show a terrace locking means for a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 43 to 46 show a further embodiment example of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 47 to 52 show various method steps in the conversion of a further folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 53 to 55 show a further embodiment example of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 56 to 61 show a further embodiment example of a folding house according to the invention;

FIGS. 62 to 67 show a further embodiment example of a folding house according to the invention.

The FIGS. 1 to 13 show a folding house according to the invention as well as various method steps of a conversion of a folding house 1 according to the invention from a housing position into a transport position. As is shown, the folding house 1 has a base block 2 and a housing block 4, which may be moved relative to one another such that the base block 2 is arranged in the housing block 3 in a transport position. Thereby, the base block 2 has a base block back wall 9, a base block floor 13 as well as base block side walls 8, which are rigidly connected to the base block floor 13 and the base block back wall 9. The housing block 3, analogously, has a housing block floor 14, a housing block front wall 10 as well as two housing block side walls 11 rigidly connected to the housing block floor 14 and the housing block front wall 10. Base block 2 and housing block 3, hence, are formed intrinsically rigid and are arranged in the housing position supplementing each other such that an internal space of the base block 2 supplements an internal space of the housing block 3 so that the internal space of the base block 2 is not separated from the internal space of the housing block 3 by a wall or the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the base block 2 and the housing block 3 are rotatably connected by a hinge 26 arranged on the floor-side, so that for a change from the housing position into the transport position the housing block 3 is pivoted by 90° and thereby put onto the base block 2. As the base block 2 and the housing block 3 are embodied in a rigid way, it is not necessary to remove an inventory of the base block 2 from the same, so that a conversion may be realized especially simply. For a conversion, in a first step the furniture of the housing block 3 will be transported into the base block 2 and storage space will be freed of loose articles. Subsequently, the folding bed 30 will be folded up, an external chimney will be disassembled from a chimney duct 79, optionally present external stairs will be folded up and a roof foil 74 will be removed. Furthermore, all windows 83 and doors will be closed, and the roof water tubing, if existent, will be dismounted. Furthermore, a pivoting wall 18 present in the building, which separates a toilet area 20, is to be folded to a wall and locked there.

Subsequently, lifting means in lifting lugs or crane lifting points 15, respectively, of the folding roof 4 will be hooked, and the folding roof 4 will be released by releasing the roof threaded-screws 58. In a further step, the folding roof 4 that is releasably connected to the housing block 3 will be pivoted by 180°, so that it will rest on the base block 2. For this reason, there are provided crane lifting points 15 at the folding roof 4, whereby the folding roof 4 may be pivoted onto the base block 2 using a crane. In a next step, terrace elements 5 rotatably connected to the housing block 3 at a lower end will be folded up and locked at the housing block 3. Thereby, adjoining terrace elements 5, 5 a will be folded up simultaneously, and terrace locking means 38 between the adjoining terrace elements 5, 5 a will be released only after a first terrace element 5 has been fixed at the housing block 3, as is illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Only then, the further terrace element 5 a will be pivoted in regard to the first terrace element 5 and also fixed at the housing block 3 or the first terrace element 5.

A front sliding door 6 and a lateral sliding door 7 will be covered by the terrace elements 5 so that these will not be damaged during transport. In addition, an entrance door 16, which is arranged in a side wall of the housing block 3, will be covered by a terrace element 5. As seen, a roof opening 12 is positioned in the folding roof 4, through which access to the roof of the folding house 1 is possible, for example using a ladder or spiral stairs. For a sealing connection between the base block 2 and the housing block 3 there is provided a sealing column 21 at a contact position, which creates a sealing connection between base block 2 and housing block 3 by means of a sealing angle 22 and a foam rubber sealing 24. For a conversion, the sealing columns 21 and a sealing mass 23 will be removed between the method steps illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, not, however, the sealing angles 22.

After the terrace elements 5 have been folded to the housing block 3 and been attached thereto, in the next step the housing block 3 will be lifted by means of a crane not depicted at crane lifting points 15 and rotated about the hinge 26 by 90°, wherein the housing block 3 is placed onto the base block 2. This is illustrated in the FIGS. 9 to 13. Thereby, the housing block 3 is placed onto a rubber padding 28 on the base block 2, so that any damage will be prevented. There is further provided an air gap 27 between the base block 2 and the housing block 3, whereby any damage is also prevented at a base block side wall 8 in an simply way. Subsequently, the folding house 1 positioned in the transport position will be sealed for transport using foils and secured by means of belts or screws. By means of a crane, the folding house 1 may be lifted, for example, using loops onto a flatbed vehicle and mounted on a loading surface of the flatbed vehicle using floor support elements 25. Herein, lashing belts and convenient paddings such as rubber pads or timber elements may be used in order to protect the loading surface and the floor support elements 25.

A stable erection site, on which the folding house 1 is erected, is achieved by means of floor support elements 25, by means of which the erection site is paved. These floor support elements 25 may consist, for example, of timber, plastic materials or the like in order to enable a stable positioning of the folding house 1. Within the folding house 1 there is arranged a rotator cell 17, wherein through a rotating tube 46 arranged centrally in the rotator cell 17 various media such as waste water, water, electric energy and the like may be supplied into the folding house 1 or out of the folding house 1, respectively. A flexible utilization of the internal space is achieved via a base plate of the rotator cell 17 mounted rotatably in regard to the folding house. Inside the housing block 3 a pivoting wall 18 is pivotingly connected to a housing block side wall 11, through which in the housing position a separated area within the housing block 3 may be easily created, by the pivoting wall 18 being pivoted in regard to the housing block 3 using a pivoting wall hinge 19. This may, for example, be used in order to form a separate toilet area 20 behind the pivoting wall 18. Before a conversion from the housing position into the transport position, which is depicted in FIG. 13, the pivoting wall 18 is pivoted to the housing block side wall 11 and locked thereto, usually in parallel therewith, so that the base block 2 may be moved into the inside of the housing block 3.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show various views of the folding house 1 depicted in the FIGS. 1 to 13, wherein the housing block 3 is rotatably connected to the base block 2. In the housing position that is illustrated there are arranged in the inside of the folding house 1 several objects such as a table 29, a folding bed 30, a whirl pool 31 as well as a folding sofa 32. For an efficient utilization of space, it has proven suitable if the folding bed 30 is positioned in the inside of the folding house 1 such that this is folded into the housing block 3 in the housing position and folded up for a conversion into the transport position in a way so that it is housed completely in the base block 2. As is illustrated, a forecourt 33 is arranged next to the base block 2. In the inside of the housing block 3 there is further arranged stowage area 35 having various stowage installations 36. There may also be positioned a stowage cupboard 41 in the folding house 1. The front sliding door 6 and the lateral sliding door 7 may also be formed as tilt and turn doors 37. There is usually provided a terrace locking means 38, by means of which the terrace elements 5 may be releasably connected. An energy area 34 is further provided in the inside of the folding house 1, by means of which, for example, electric energy may be distributed. The windows 83 of the folding house 1 are usually configured as tilt and turn windows 42 in order to enable multi-step-ventilation.

The FIGS. 18 to 21 show two folding houses 1 of the same construction according to the invention, which are arranged next to one another. These folding houses 1 also have respectively one folding roof 4. One of the windows 83 of the folding house 1 is embodied as a bull's eye 43. As is illustrated, the folding houses 1 of the same construction are positioned with base block 2 next to base block 2.

FIGS. 22 to 27 show a rotator cell 17 for a folding house 1 according to the invention in detail. The rotator cell 17 is usually arranged centrally between the housing block 3 and the base block 2 and has a sleeping area, a wellness area 44 having a whirl pool as well as a dining area 49 having seating. The rotator cell 18 is further rotatably connected to the folding house 1 so that areas of the rotator cell 17 may be rotated in regard to the folding house 1. For this purpose, a flange-bearing system having a rotating tube 46 is provided centrally in the rotator cell 17, which enables the transport of water, waste water and electric energy into the folding house 1 or out of the folding house 1, respectively, through the rotating flanges. The mounting of the rotator cell 17 is realized on the floor via an axial radial bearing 47 and in the base block roof 80 via a radial bearing 48. In the region of the wellness area 44 and the dining area 49 there is mounted a rotatable base plate, which serves as a floor or in the wellness area 44 as a support construction 45 of a bathtub, a shower, a whirlpool 31 or the like. In the sleeping area of the rotator cell 17 a folding bed 30 is mounted in a foldable way, for example by means of a hinge arrangement or a coupling four-way-linkage. If the folding bed 30 is folded up, a three-part folding sofa 43 may be pivoted down on a bottom side of the folding bed 30, which may used as a sofa during the day. In the transport position the folding bed 30 is folded and raised up so that this will not physically project into the housing block 3, whereby the housing block 3 may be pivoted via the hinge 26 into or above the base block 2. The depicted rotator cell 17 is formed in three parts, it may, however, also be formed in two or more than three parts. The folding sofa 32 arranged on the bottom side of the folding bed 30 usually has raisable sofa rests, which may be unfolded and locked for use of the folding sofa 32. In the wellness area 44 there may be arranged a shower, a bath 89 or a whirlpool 31. A dining area 49 may also be arranged on the rotator cell 17, which may have a fixed or a pivotingly mounted table 29 having fixed or foldable seating. This area may also be used as an office area.

FIGS. 28 to 34 show a hinge 26, by means of which the housing block 3 is rotatably connected to the base block 2 also in an embodiment of the folding house 1. The hinge 26 may also be used as a connection means for two parts of a folding roof 4 according to the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 13. The FIG. 33, thus, shows the detail XXXIII in FIG. 32, and FIG. 34 shows the detail XXXIV in FIG. 33. The hinge 26 has a hinge part 50 for connection, on the one side, to the housing block 3 and, on the other side, to the base block 2 as well as a first external hinge tube 51 and a second external hinge tube 52. In the first external hinge tube 51 and in the second external hinge tube 52 there is arranged an internal hinge tube 53, via which a rotatable connection between the external hinge tubes 51, 52 is achieved. This hinge 26 is especially suitable for high loads, which occur when the housing block 3 is moved in regard to the base block 2. A free hinge space 55 is provided between the hinge part 50 and the first external hinge tube 51, which ensures movement with only little war. As is illustrated, the hinge part 50 is usually arranged eccentrically in regard to the external hinge tubes 51, 52, so that a rotation of a part of the folding roof 4 with the hinge 26 by 180° is possible without any problems. The hinge part 50 may be connected to the external hinge tubes 51, 52 on one side or on both sides preferably by means of welding seams 65. If the hinge part 50 is connected to the external hinge tubes 51, 52 on both sides, this will result in two welding seam sides 54 per hinge part 50, as is illustrated. For the connection of the hinge 26 to the housing block 3 and the base block 2 or parts of the folding roof 4, there are provided multiple attachment bores 56 in the hinge part 50.

FIGS. 35 to 37 show a connection of the housing block 3 to the folding roof 4 according to the embodiment example illustrated in detail in FIG. 1. Thereby, FIG. 36 shows a section through a folding house along the line XXXVI-XXXVI in FIG. 35, and FIG. 37 shows the detail XXXVII in FIG. 36. The folding roof 4 has a folding channel 60, in which a threaded insert 61 is arranged. At a corresponding position, the housing block 3 has a roof screw guiding 57, into which a roof threaded-screw 58 may be inserted in order releasably connect the housing block 3 to the folding roof 4. When releasing the roof threaded-screws 58 before the conversion of the folding house 1, the roof screw guiding 57 is retracted so far so that there is released an air gap 27 and so that the folding roof 4 becomes free. There is further also provided an extractable threading 59 so that a stable connection is achieved. Corresponding roof threaded-screws 58 may be arranged at several positions in the housing block 3. The illustration shows the arrangement of a roof threaded-screw 58 above a front sliding door 6.

FIGS. 38 to 42 show a connection of two terrace elements 5 as well as one terrace locking means in detail. Therein, FIG. 39 show a section through a terrace locking means along the line XXXIX-XXXIX in FIG. 38, FIG. 41 shows a section through an arrangement along the line XLI-XLI in FIG. 40, and FIG. 42 shows the detail XLII in FIG. 41. As is illustrated, a terrace locking means 38 having a terrace linkage alignment 40 is provided for the connection of two terrace elements 5, which has terrace abutment surfaces 39, at which the terrace locking means 38 is connected to the terrace elements 5. In the terrace elements 5 there are provided bores, which correspond to the terrace linkage alignment 40 of the terrace locking means 38 in order to achieve a precise connection. The terrace linkage alignment 40 is connected to the terrace locking means 38 by way of a welding seam 65. The terrace locking means 38 and the terrace linkage alignment 40 are usually made of a metal, in particular steel. In order to connect the terrace locking means 38 to the terrace elements 5, terrace attachment screws 62 are connected, on the one side, to the terrace element 5 and, on the other side, via the terrace linkage alignment 40 to the terrace locking means 38. Thereby, the terrace attachment screws 63 are inserted from opposing sides, as illustrated in FIG. 42, in order achieve simple mounting. For fixation of the terrace attachment screws 63, which are inserted from below, there are provided internal threaded inserts 62 in the terrace elements 5. In this way, there may be ensured good fixation even in the case of low rigidity of the terrace element 5. In order to connect a terrace attachment screw 63 that is inserted from an area over which a person may walk or from above into the terrace element 5, there is provided a connecting washer 67 between a head of the terrace attachment screw 63 and the terrace element 5. Terrace attachment screws 63 that are inserted from an area over which a person may walk are usually covered by a blanking plug 64 so that there is realized a smooth surface and so that entry of moisture into the area of the terrace attachment screw 63 is prevented. The terrace linkage alignments 40 of the terrace locking means 38 are in general formed with a bevel 66 so that these may simply be inserted into the bores in the terrace elements 5.

FIGS. 43 to 46 show two folding houses 1 of the same construction according to the invention, which are arranged one on top of the other in order to form a multi-storey building. As is illustrated, a connection between the storeys is realized via roof stairs 68. Terrace elements 5 of the upper folding house 1 form, on the one side, a terrace for the upper floor and, on the other side, a roofing of the terrace of the ground floor. In order to reduce the risk of injuries, there are provided a terrace guard railing 71 and a roof guard railing 69. A function of the roof foil 74 and of the roof water tubing will not be prevented by the roof guard railing 69. An additional roof may be provided for one or several terrace elements 5. The roof stairs pedestal 73 may be further configured to be raisable in order to be used as a terrace protection roof.

The terrace elements 5 of the upper floor are supported by terrace columns 72 so that the terrace elements 5 movably connected to the housing block 3 of the upper floor in the depicted position may be walked on in a stable way. The roof stairs 68 as well as the stairs connecting a lower floor with the upper floor with the upper floor each have a stair guard railing 70. At the roof stairs 68 there is further provided on the end side thereof a roof stairs pedestal 73, in order to provide access to the roof of the upper floor via the floor stairs 68.

In an alternative to the previously described embodiment, the folding house 1 may also be configured to be folding over. In such an embodiment, a crane having a turning device is necessary for a conversion, by means of which the housing block 3 may be lifted after release from the base block 2, turned again at a height, lowered onto the base block 2 and put there over.

FIGS. 47 to 52 show a further embodiment example of a folding house 1 according to the invention. Departing from the previously described embodiment variants, in this embodiment the base block 2 is shiftably connected to the housing block 3 so that the base block 2 may be shifted into the housing block 3 in the transport position for a conversion of the folding house 1. For this purpose, a base block floor 14 is arranged above a housing block floor 14, and a base block roof 80 is situated underneath a housing block roof 81. In this way, the base block 2 may be shifted into the housing block 3 such that the base block 2 is housed in the housing block 3 and so that the base block floor 13 is arranged above housing block floor 14 and the housing block roof 81 above the base block roof 80 so that there is achieved a small transport area. Inside the folding house 1 this embodiment is different merely by a floor-sided step and by a roof-sided step, which enable movement of the base block 2 into the housing block 3. Extraction and retraction of the base block 2 in regard to the housing block 3 may be realized manually or by means of gear racks, coupling gears made of moulding tubes or ropes via sliding guide surfaces 87 on the side of the floor or roof.

This embodiment of a folding house 1 according to the invention also has a chimney duct 79 in order to enable arrangement of an oven in the inside of the folding house 1. As is illustrated, a roof of this folding house 1 is configured with photovoltaic elements 76 and solar elements 77 foldably connected to the base block 2 and the housing block 3 so that energy required in the folding house 1 may be generated at least in part by the folding house 1. For this purpose, the base block roof 80 as well as the housing block roof 81 each have a receptacle or a roof panel recess 78, respectively, in which the solar elements 77 and the photovoltaic elements 76 may be arranged when the folding house 1 is in the transport position. The photovoltaic elements 76 and the solar elements 77 are usually configured flat and may be connected to the base block roof 80 and the housing block roof 81 in a tiltable way. The housing block roof 81 and the base block roof 89 are each formed by a roof foil 74, underneath which there is arranged an insulating foil in order to minimize the loss of heat via the roof. The roof may also have a detachable folding roof 4, which is positioned on the housing block 3 for transport after a conversion into the transport position. The roof foil 74 is configured as a roof edge water passage 75 so that roof wastewaters may be selectively discharged. In this embodiment, the base block 2 may be connected to the housing block 3 via a linear bearing and/or a gear rack in order to enable the linear movement, which is necessary for a conversion of the folding house 1 from the housing position into the transport position. Analogously to the embodiment examples described above, in this embodiment the terrace elements 5 are usually connected to the housing block 3 in a foldable way.

There may further be provided that one or multiple walls, in particular the housing block front wall 10, are configured as a receptacle for photovoltaic elements 76 and solar elements 77. Apparat from photovoltaic elements 76, there may also be arranged other devices for the generation of energy such as energy generating aggregates, preferably rotatably or tiltably, at the folding house 1, advantageously on the roof of the folding house 1.

FIGS. 53 to 55 show a further embodiment of a folding house 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the roof is configured as a folding roof 4 in order to enable a rotational movement between base block 2 and housing block 3 in a simply way. The housing block 3 further has housing block extensions 82, forming projecting housing areas at the housing block 3 so that an internal space of the housing block 2 is larger than an internal space of the base block 2. In this way, the housing area that may be used is maximized.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show a connection between base block 2, housing block 3 and folding roof 4 of the embodiment example shown in FIG. 53 in detail. The connection also corresponds to the respective connection of the folding house 1 illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 13. As is depicted, a foldable part of the folding roof 4 is connected to the base block 2 as well as to the housing block 3 by means of screws 84 in order to achieve a stable connection. For sealing of the connection there are provided a sealing column 21, a sealing strip 85 as well as a sealing insert padding 86. For the sealing of sliding guide surfaces 87 there is used a sealing mass 23. In a conversion of the folding house 1 into the transport position, the sealing column 21 and the screws 84 have to be dismounted. The sealing profiles 22 need not be dismounted, but here a sealing mass 23 is removed, so that the housing block 3 is only mechanically connected to the base block 2 by the hinge 26. Subsequently, the housing block 3 may, for example, be lifted using a crane and pivoted about 90° onto the base block 2. Due to the air gaps 27, such a rotation is enabled without any wear.

FIGS. 56 to 61 show a further embodiment of a folding house 1 according to the invention, wherein also an internal space is illustrated in detail. In this embodiment, there are arranged a toilet 88 and a bathroom 89 in the base block 2, whereas in the housing block 3 there is provided an open-plan kitchen 90. In FIG. 61, a position of the folding roof 4 and of the housing block 3 is depicted in discontinuous lines, when the folding house 1 is in the transport position. A roof cover is realized in this embodiment usually by means of a protective membrane, which is arranged on a multi-layered construction. The configuration of the multi-layered construction is advantageously composed of a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic panel having a width of 1.5 cm, which is followed by a oriented strand board having a width of also 1.5 cm and a nogging piece construction having a width of 20 cm, which is again followed by a oriented strand board having a width of 1.8 cm.

In this embodiment housing block front wall 10, housing block back wall 9, base block side walls 8 as well as housing block side walls 11 have preferably also a multi-layered configuration. This is advantageously composed of a plastic panel having a width of 0.7 cm, in general a Senova panel, followed by a ventilation having a width of 3 cm, followed by a oriented strand board having a width of 1.8 cm, followed by a nogging piece construction having a width of 16 cm, followed by a oriented strand board having a width of 1.5 cm as well as followed by a panel consisting of a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic material having a width of 1.5 cm, in particular a so-called GFK-30 panel.

The folding house 1 illustrated has a height of 302 cm at the base block back wall 9 and a height of 314 cm at the housing block front wall 10. In this way, the discharge of roof wastewater is reliably ensured. The housing block floor 14 and the base block floor 13 usually have also a multi-layered configuration. This is advantageously composed of a layer having a height of 3 cm of a so-called 3-layer-panel, followed by a vapour barrier, followed by a nogging piece construction having a width of 20 cm, following the nogging piece construction of an oriented strand board having a width of 1.8 cm, followed by a layer made of TDPL as well as a floor cover having a width of 0.7 cm. As is illustrated, this folding house 1 is also positioned on a floor support construction having floor support elements 25. It will be appreciated that also deviating widths of the individual layers will be possible.

FIGS. 62 to 67 show a further embodiment example of a folding house 1 according to the invention, in which a rotator cell 17 is arranged in the internal space. In this way, the various areas of the folding house 1, such as a multi-purpose space 91, may be utilized in various ways according to the position of the rotatable base plate of the rotator cell 17 and the segments arranged thereon having a whirl pool 31 and a folding bed 30, for example as a wellness area 44, a sleeping area or the like. In this embodiment the configuration of the walls, floors as well as of the roof is analogous to the embodiment example according to FIGS. 56 to 61. Also in this embodiment the base block 2 may be arranged in the housing block 3 for transport.

Figure 68 shows a further arrangement of a folding house 1 according to the invention. Thereby, the folding house 1 is mounted via a preferably rotatable pedestal 92 on a ground surface. In this way, there may be achieved, on the one side, increased security against burglary by folding up stairs, if required, via which it is possible to access the folding house 1. Furthermore, due to the rotatable pedestal 92, it is possible to align the folding house 1, for example in order to ensure optimum orientation in regard to sun light at any time of the day. The rotatable pedestal 92 may be embodied, for example, as a rotatable tube.

A folding house 1 according to the invention provides for a particularly simple conversion from a housing position, in which the housing block 3 supplements the base block 2, into a transport position, in which the base block 2 is arranged within the housing block 3, so that simple transport, for example on a truck, is possible. This conversion may be realized very simply as only the intrinsically rigid housing block 3 has to be moved in regard to the intrinsically rigid base block 2, optionally after annexes such as terrace elements 5 or a folding roof 4 have been brought into the appropriate position. Further, an inventory may remain in the base block 2, so that it need not be transported separately. In this way, conversion becomes simple and transport becomes especially low-cost.

Due to the rotator cell 17 according to the invention, a variable utilization of an internal space of a building is possible by rotating a rotatable base plate having several segments, in order to, for example, enable utilization of a sleeping area as a dining area 49 or as a wellness area 44 in a simple way. 

1. A folding house having a housing block and a base block, wherein the housing block has a housing block floor, a housing block front wall and two housing block side walls rigidly connected to the housing block front wall and the housing block floor and that the base block has a base block back wall, a base block floor and two base block side walls rigidly connected to the base block back wall and the base block floor, wherein the housing block and the base block can be brought in a housing position in which the housing block supplements the base block and in a transport position in which the base block is arranged in the housing block, further comprising a rotator cell that is rotatable around a rotation axis and connected to the folding house is provided, which rotator cell has a rotating tube arranged in the rotation axis and a base plate rotatable around the rotation axis.
 2. A folding house according to claim 1, further comprising a flange-bearing system at the rotating tube a transport of water, waste water and electric into the folding house and/or out of the folding house is enabled.
 3. A folding house according to claim 1, wherein the rotator cell on the base plate has a sleeping area and/or a wellness area and/or a dining area.
 4. A folding house according to claim 3, wherein the sleeping area has a folding bed and/or the wellness area has a whirlpool and/or the dining area has a table.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A folding house according to claim 1, wherein the housing block is shiftably connected to the base block, wherein the base block may be shifted into the housing block.
 7. A folding house according to claim 6, wherein the housing block is formed with a rigid housing block roof and the base block is formed with a base block roof, wherein a step is provided between the housing block and the base block so that in the transport position the base block floor is positioned over the housing block floor and the housing block floor over the base block roof. 8-10. (canceled)
 11. A folding house according to claim 1, wherein a folding roof is connected to the base block, by means of which the housing block may be covered by a pivoting movement about 180°. 12-13. (canceled)
 14. A folding house according to claim 1, wherein projecting housing areas are externally arranged at the housing block.
 15. A folding house according to claim 1, wherein terrace elements are arranged on an external surface of the housing block, which are pivotingly connected to the housing block.
 16. A folding house according to claim 15, wherein the terrace elements may be attached at an external surface of the housing block in a folded position at the housing block. 17-28. (canceled) 